Definition and Etymology:
The term "glutton" refers to an individual who overindulges in food and drink, often to the point of wastefulness or excess. The word is derived from the Latin "gluttire," meaning "to gulp down" or "swallow." In biblical contexts, gluttony is considered a vice and is often associated with a lack of self-control and discipline.

Biblical References:
The Bible addresses the issue of gluttony in several passages, highlighting its moral and spiritual implications. In the Old Testament, gluttony is often linked with other forms of excess and moral decay.

· Proverbs 23:20-21 : "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat. For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags." This passage warns against the dangers of excessive eating and drinking, associating it with poverty and laziness.

· Deuteronomy 21:20 : "They will say to the elders, 'This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.'" Here, gluttony is mentioned as a characteristic of a rebellious and disobedient son, indicating its negative connotations in familial and societal contexts.

· Proverbs 28:7 : "A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father." This verse contrasts the wise and law-abiding son with one who associates with gluttons, suggesting that gluttony brings shame and dishonor.

Theological Implications:
Gluttony is often viewed as a sin because it reflects a lack of self-control, a fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22-23. It is seen as prioritizing physical desires over spiritual well-being and can lead to other sins such as greed and idolatry. The excessive focus on food and drink can become a form of idolatry, where one's appetite takes precedence over devotion to God.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:
In Christian ethics, gluttony is considered a vice that detracts from one's ability to live a disciplined and holy life. It is often grouped with other sins of excess, such as drunkenness and lust, which can lead to a life that is not pleasing to God. The call to moderation and self-control is emphasized throughout Scripture, encouraging believers to honor God with their bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Cultural and Historical Context:
In biblical times, feasting and banquets were common, and the temptation to overindulge was present. However, the biblical narrative consistently calls for moderation and warns against the dangers of excess. The cultural context of the Bible often linked gluttony with a lack of wisdom and foresight, as excessive consumption could lead to scarcity and poverty.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to practice self-control and moderation in all areas of life, including eating and drinking. This discipline is not only beneficial for physical health but also for spiritual growth and maturity. By exercising restraint, Christians can better focus on their relationship with God and their service to others, avoiding the pitfalls of excess and indulgence.(Deuteronomy 21:20), Hebrews zolel, from a word meaning "to shake out," "to squander;" and hence one who is prodigal, who wastes his means by indulgence. In Proverbs 23:21, the word means debauchees or wasters of their own body. In Proverbs 28:7, the word (pl.) is rendered Authorized Version "riotous men;" Revised Version, "gluttonous." Matthew 11:19, Luke 7:34, Greek phagos, given to eating, gluttonous. 1. (n.) One who eats voraciously, or to excess; a gormandizer.

2. (n.) Fig.: One who gluts himself.

3. (n.) A carnivorous mammal (Gulo luscus), of the family Mustelidae, about the size of a large badger. It was formerly believed to be inordinately voracious, whence the name; the wolverine. It is a native of the northern parts of America, Europe, and Asia.

4. (a.) Gluttonous; greedy; gormandizing.

5. (v. t. & i.) To glut; to eat voraciously.

GLUTTON; GLUTTONOUS

glut'-'-n, glut'-'-n-us (zalal, "to be lavish"; phagos): "Glutton" (from glut, to swallow greedily) is the translation of zolel from zalal, "to shake or pour out," "to be lavish, a squanderer." In Deuteronomy 21:20, "This our son. is a glutton, and a drunkard," the word may mean a squanderer or prodigal; the English Revised Version has "a riotous liver." In Proverbs 23:21, "For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty" (following zole bhasar, "squanderers of flesh," the Revised Version (British and American) "gluttonous eaters of flesh"), "glutton" in the usual sense is intended; "a man gluttonous," "a gluttonous man" (the Revised Version) (phagos, "an eater," "a glutton") was a term applied to Christ in His freedom from asceticism (Matthew 11:19 Luke 7:34).

The Revised Version has "idle gluttons" (margin Greek, "bellies") for "slow bellies" (Titus 1:12); "gluttonous" "gluttons," for "riotous" (Proverbs 23:20; Proverbs 28:7).

W. L. Walker

5314. phagos -- a glutton
... a glutton. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: phagos Phonetic Spelling:
(fag'-os) Short Definition: a glutton Definition: a glutton. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5314.htm - 6k2151b. zalal -- to be light or worthless, make light of
... 2151a, 2151b. zalal. 2152 . to be light or worthless, make light of.
Transliteration: zalal Short Definition: glutton. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/2151b.htm - 5k

2151. zalal -- to shake
... 2150, 2151. zalal. 2151a . to shake. Transliteration: zalal Phonetic Spelling:
(zaw-lal') Short Definition: down. blow down, glutton, riotous eater, vile ...
/hebrew/2151.htm - 5k

Psalm 107:3. Third Part. Intemperance Punished and Pardoned; Or, a ...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 107:3. Third Part. Intemperance punished
and pardoned; or, A psalm for the glutton and the drunkard. ...
/.../watts/the psalms of david/psalm 107 3 0 third part intemperance.htm

An Index to Find a Psalm Suited to Particular Subjects or ...
... Doubts and fears suppressed, [339]3, [340]31, [341]143. Drunkard and glutton,
[342]107. ... Glutton, [432]78; and drunkard, [433]107. God,. all in all, [434]127; ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/an index to find a.htm

Examples of a Similar Kind from the New.
... fasts; [1059] having (the power) to make "loaves out of stones," [1060] say, to
make Jordan flow with wine perchance, if He had been such a "glutton and toper ...
/.../on fasting in opposition to the psychics/chapter viii examples of a similar.htm

Growth in Christliness of Life.
... A glutton may stand and look at the thin, austere, ascetic face of Dante and say
within himself, "I will be a Dante," but all the world knows that in a few ...
/.../rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter xii growth in christliness.htm

Sensual and Spiritual Excitement.
... It is not the sensual pleasure of the glutton that fascinates him; it is those fine
thoughts and those quickened sensibilities which were excited in that state ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/ix sensual and spiritual excitement.htm

But, in Order that it May be More Clearly Understood...
... "For John came neither eating nor drinking; and they said, He hath a devil; the
Son of Man came both eating and drinking; and they said, "Lo, a glutton and wine ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 26 but in order.htm

Security of Christians.
... Lazarus the beggar found this a truth"a beggar so despised of the rich glutton that
he was not suffered to come within his gate; a beggar full of sores and ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xvi security of christians.htm

Harmony of all Graces and virtues in Christ.
... of the prodigal son to his father's house; and even provoked the sneer of his
adversaries, that he "came eating and drinking," and was a "glutton" and a ...
/.../schaff/the person of christ/harmony of all graces and.htm

His Passion and Crucifixion.
... They rejected and perverted his testimony; they laid snares for him by insidious
questions; they called him a glutton and a wine-bibber for eating and drinking ...
/.../schaff/the person of christ/his passion and crucifixion.htm

The Fall of Eutropius
... innuendo. At any rate,' she said, you need not have sent a mere fat, incompetent
glutton like Leo.'. Leo was my friend, madam,' he said. ...
/.../chapter xxvi the fall of.htm

Glutton (4 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Gluttonous; greedy; gormandizing. 5. (vt & i.) To glut; to eat voraciously.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GLUTTON; GLUTTONOUS. ...
/g/glutton.htm - 10k

Gluttonous (4 Occurrences)
... (a.) Given to eating to excess; indulging the appetite; voracious; as, a gluttonous
age. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GLUTTON; GLUTTONOUS. ...
/g/gluttonous.htm - 9k

Drunkard (15 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 21:20 and they shall tell the elders of his city, "This our son is stubborn
and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a ...
/d/drunkard.htm - 11k

Quaffer (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Quaffer (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 23:21 For the quaffer
and glutton become poor, And drowsiness clotheth with rags. (YLT). ...
/q/quaffer.htm - 6k

Glutted (2 Occurrences)

/g/glutted.htm - 7k

Gluttons (3 Occurrences)
... NIV). Proverbs 23:21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty;
and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. (See NIV). ...
/g/gluttons.htm - 7k

Wine-drinker (2 Occurrences)
... Matthew 11:19 the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, Lo, a man,
a glutton, and a wine-drinker, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners, and ...
/w/wine-drinker.htm - 7k

Riot (14 Occurrences)
... no hope of safety," "profligate." In Proverbs 23:20; Proverbs 28:7 the Revised Version
(British and American) has preferred "gluttonous," "glutton," in Romans ...
/r/riot.htm - 12k

Rags (6 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Proverbs 23:21 for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; and
drowsiness clothes them in rags. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/r/rags.htm - 8k

Rebellious (63 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 21:20 and they shall tell the elders of his city, "This our son is stubborn
and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a ...
/r/rebellious.htm - 26k

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